Mycelium (spawn)

Feathery type of mycelium (spawn). This mycelium orginates from the spores, the seeds of a matured mushroom, but it may also be cultured from the tissues of a fresh, young plant. Often times, they can be found under leaves, under the bark of a tree, or in this image a log for firewood. The conditions were good as we had a flood last year and the moisture helped its success. Later, it proceds to form a fruit-body or mushroom. It is not the root system of a mushroom. it is the plant itself. It feeds on whatever substances it happens to be invading.